Hydraulic press



HYDRAULIC PRESS Filed March 25, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 1s, 1936. J B, MIDDAUGH 2,030,928

HYDRAULIC PRES S Filed March 25, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 1s, 193e.

J. B. MlDDAUGl-l 2,030,928

HYDRAULI C PRE S S Filed March 25, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 mf /mam/ @MJ/w Feb. 18, 1936. J, B, MlDDAUGH 2,030,928

HYDRAULIC PRESS Filed March 25, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Feb. 18, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HYDRAULIC PRESS John B. Middaugh, Chicago, Ill., assigner,v by mesne assignments, to Oppenheimer Casing Co., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application March 25, 1933; Serial' No. 662,731'

7 Claims. (Cl. 10G-5(1) My invention relates to an hydraulic press and ily clutter` the press and? which would interferey more particularly to a mechanism of this charwith the' sealing ring noted'- above. acter which is utilized for the extraction of oils 4These and further objects of myinvention will and greases from oil-bearing seeds, animal tis'- be set forth in the following specication, refer-A 5 sues or cracklings, and other oil-bearing mateence being had to the accompanying drawings, 5 rials whose contents. may be substantially reand the novel means by which said olbects are moved by the application of pressure, with or effectuatecl: will be denitely pointed out inthe without the addition of heat. claims.

The press described and claimed in the present 111th@ draWngS 1o application is an improvement on that type of Figure I is` an elevation, partly in section, of 10 press in which there is employed acurb cylinder my improved press, the several parts being that is provided with a tamping or pre-pressing ShOlWn in Curb-Charging position. ring at one end and a principal ram at the op- Fg- 2 iS a plan View' 0f the' PreSS, 8S Viewed irl posite end', the tamping ring acting to fully the direction of the arrowI 2' in Fig. 1i, showing charge the curb and the principal ram moving in the-upper header of thenress end the location or 15 a, direction Opposite to that ofthe tamping ring the; hydraulic cylinders. form-ing part of the to effect the extracting operation, this arrangemechanism for 30m2-ting the tamping Fing. y ment resulting in certain economies in the overh Fig-5 3 1 5 all enlarged Section taken along the al1 length of the press owing to the necessity for line; 3`3 in Fig. 2', looking in the direction oi'- the moving the principal ram only ashort (i1-stanca arrows, showing the curb in cake or residue-dis- 20 The ram also includes a steam chamber that is Charging' position', with' ts'steam duct registering located centrally of, and extends substantially With the st eam Supply' pipe for Supplying Steam the length of the curb, for the purpose of heal@ toV the heating chamber' of the ram, andi also the ing and maintaining the charge in the curb at a plungers for Cammg the sealmg Fmg on' the ram temperature that will facilitate the extraction of and for retaining this ring in" position adjacent 25 the ons therefrom. the. bottom of the curb; It is one of the objects of the present invention COgbmegafsgtl;:Iggtre argentinos.assistersi: meer ram a 3 pressing operation eiiected by the principal ram glllnlllgifmessalglrg lle'cug in order-to prevent the flow of any portion of the theefmm g g gag extracted ou inw'rdqy and downwardly of me Fig 5 shows-1 a stepin the operation of the lrb .lovlfhe .nnllpa mm alight?, direct mi press, subsequent to that illustrated! in Fig. 4, thgveligor gflhcgureg mg pan a' surroun the ram having movedl further upward and the 35 sealin rin havin been com letelf n i A further. oblect 1S to ara'ng prmclpa'l .ram Figg is ga. sectiogn along th lineyld-lsle iiaeig for the carnage of the seaimg rmg aft an ames 3A looking` in the direction of the arrows showing.` except dumg thE compressmg Operamqn Special the. arrangement ofc the spring-operated plung- 40 means being provided for the automatic detachers. which support the sealing; ring, during the 40 ment of the ung from the ram dunnfg lts upward compressing operation by the principal' ram. movement to squeeze the charge 1n the curb Fig. '1Y isian elevation. of" one endI of the plunger to ma'mtam the ng m lts detached posltlqn shown in Fig.. 6,. lookingl in` the direction of the adJacent the bottom of. the curb, the ram again arrow; 1 Pickrg up the ring when moved downwardly t0 Fig. 8 is asection along the line s-s'- in Fig. 45 permit the dlsha'rge of the Compressed cake- 3, looking: inthe direction of thearrows, showing A furthe oblect 1S t0 pr0V 1de an arrangement the arrangement of the spring pressed plungers for intermittently 1ntroduc1ng an exhausting which. serve' to su t l steam into and from the steam chamber of the ram pport he Sea' mg ring on the ram by causing suitable ports in the ram to' The specic embodiment of my invention, as- 50 reglshtel Wth Steam and exhaust Pipes While the set forth in the present application, relates to a ram 1s oooupymg lts lowelmost 01 Cake-dischargpress fory theV extraction ofv greasesl from animal ing position, thus eiectively eliminating any tissues or cracklings.. Only a single type of'pressV necessity for flexible steam hose which would is disclosed, i. e., vertical, but it will be under-A otherwise move with the ram, would unnecessarstoo'd that a feature,l such as the steam feed to 55 the heating chamber forming a part of the ram, is likewise capable of use in connection with a horizontal type of press. Moreover, it will be understood that, notwithstanding the specific disclosure of my invention takes the form of a press for the extraction of oils and greases, the broader phases of the invention are likewise applicable to the general extraction of uids from any material that may be subjectedto pressure for thisA purpose.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the numeral I9 designates a suitable foundation which is provided with a pocket I I. Disposed above the bottom of the pocket on opposite sides thereof is a pair of girders I2, upon each of which rests a pair of nuts I3 that are mounted upon the lower ends of a pair of tie rods I4 that extend upwardly through the adjacent end of a lower header I5. In plan view, the header I5 possesses a generally rectangular conformation, as shown inFig. Zwhich illustrates the upper header I6. A tie rod I4 is located adjacent each corner of the lower header I5.and these rods project up;- wardly through the upper header I6 to receive on their upper extremities nuts I1, similar to the nuts I3. Each of theheaders is maintained in abutting relation to its corresponding nuts I3 and I1 by means of clamping collars I8., The headers and tie rods constitute, abox-like structure which forms the principal framing of the press andthe entirev weight of which is carried on the girders I2.

y Preferablyintegrally formed with the header I5 isa hydraulic cylinder I9 that' extends downwardly into the-pocket II= andhas reciprocably mounted therein a piston 20. Actuating uid, such as oil and the like, is introduced into the cylinder I9 by means of a pipe 2I that is in communication with a remote v.pumping mechanism.

An annular shell 22 projects upwardly above the head 23 of the piston and has. Seated on the upper end thereof a ram 24. A sleeve-like portion 25 depends from the underside of the ram and is guidably received within the interior of the shell 22 so that when fluid is introduced into the cylinder I9, the piston 20 and the ram 24 will move as a unit. Owing to the fact that the shell 22 is to all intents and purposes an integral part of the ram, this shell will hereinafter be referred to,

`for convenience, as the ram apron.

A hollow stem 26 projects upwardly from the ram 24 in axial alignment with the cylinder I9 and encloses a steam space or chamber 21 into which steam is delivered and exhausted by means of pipes 29 and 30, respectively, which project upwardly through a disc 28 that closes the lower end of the chamber (see Figs. 1 and 3). The upper end of the inlet lpipe 29 terminates at some distance above the disk 28, while the upper end of the exhaust pipe is substantially ush with the inner surface of said disk in order that it may conveniently drain away any Water of condensation that may collect in the steam chamber. The pipes 29 and 30 communicate with other pipes which may Abe located' in convenient locations around the ramfbut which are of identical construction. For the ydetails of construction, therefore, reference will hereinafter be made only to' the system of piping which communicates with the inlet pipe `29. 'Y

Referring to Fig. 3, the lower end of the pipe 29 is Yconnected to a pipe 3! that extends through the ram sleeve and apron, 25 and 22, respectively, and which, for some convenient portionV of vits 'length may be insulated from the indicated ram elements by means of an asbestos sleeve 32, the inner end of which abuts against a shoulder provided in the sleeve 25, while the outer end is in contact with, and protected against the action of the steam by a bushing 33 that is seated in the end of the hole which receives the insulating sleeve 32. The outer end of the bushing 33 is substantially flush with the surface of the apron 22 and defines a port 34 for a purpose presently explained.

The port 34 is intended to register under conditions hereinafter described with a port 35 defined by the end of a pipe 36 that is slidably supported in a ferrule 31 threaded in one end of a cap 38 that is bolted or otherwise secured tothe lower header I5. A spiral spring 39 encircles the pipe 36, the outer end of the spring abutting against the ferrule 31, while the inner end contacts with an annular ange 4U formed on said pipe, thus tending to always urge the pipe toward the ram apron 22. A gasket 4I is interposed between the surface of the ram apron and the ange 49 for the purpose of providing an effective seal with the apron surface, both when the ports 34 and 35 occupy the registering position shown in Fig. 3 and also when occupying the relatively displaced position, as shown in Fig. 1. It is contemplated that the outer end of the pipe 36 may be connected, either by a flexible hose toa suitable steam supply, or by some form of slip connection with an ordinary pipe that will not interfere with the extending action of the spring 39.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that when the ram is occupying the position shown in Fig. 3 fresh steam will be supplied vto the steam chamber through the pipe 29, while the condensate and other steam will be exhausted through the pipe 30 that is in communication with a piping system substantially identical with the pipes 3| and 36, and the allied parts. However, when the ram has moved upwardly to the position shown in Figs. 1, 4, and 5, the supply of steam to the steam chamber will be cut off.

Abovethe steam pipe 3I, the ramis provided with a plurality of radially-extending plungers 42 that are mounted within appropriate chambers 43, the inner end of each plunger being slidable in a hole 44 having a diameter less than the diameter of the chamber, while the outer endY is slidably mounted in a plug 45V threaded in the entrance to the chamber 43. A disk 46 is fixed on the plunger 42 andrprovides an abutment for one end of a coil spring 41 that encircles the plunger, the 'opposite end of the spring abutting against the shoulder defined by the junction of the chamber 43 and the hole 44. The tendency of the spring 41 is to always urge the plunger radially outward of the ram and the outer end of the plunger is rounded as at 48 for reception within an annular groove 49 provided in a sealing ring 50 whose working face may be channeled or otherwise recessed to receive suitable packing 5I. In the position of the ram shown in Fig. 3, the

sealing ring 5,0 is supported by the plungers 42,

with the top surface of the ring contacting with a shoulder 52 provided on the ram and the working face of the ring projecting laterally beyond the peripheral face of the ram to define a shoulder 53 for a purpose hereinafter explained. As in the case of the sealing ring, theperipheral face of the ram may also be channeled or otherwise recessed to receive a packing or gasket ring 54. The squeezing surface 9| of the ram is preferably inclined outwardly from the steam chamber, as shown in Fig. 3.

The ram 24 (Fig. l) normally closes. the lower end of a curb 56 which comprises a plurality of axially-spaced rings 51 that are internally connected by means of longitudinally-extending bars 58. These bars are arranged in the manner of barrel staves, but are spaced circumferentially from each other suiciently to provide openings 59 that are wide enough to permit of the easy ow of oils or greases therethrough, while substantially restricting the outward movement of solid material when under pressure. Secured to the lower ends of the bars is a ring 66 whose inner surface is substantially in alignment with the inner surfaces of the bars and forms a sliding nt with the peripheral surface of the ram, so that the latter, when occupying the position shown in Fig. 1, effectually closes the lower end of the curb. The ring 60 also comprises an annular, upstanding flange 6I which defines an oil-collecting channel 62 that is in communication with a flexible hose 63 through which the collected oil or grease is evacuated. In order to maintain the oil in the channel 62 above the congealing point and so facilitating its handling, the ring 60 pref erably embodies an internal, annular passage 64 which is in communication o-n one side of the ring with a flexible steam, inlet hose 65 and on the opposite side with a corresponding hose 66 through which the steam is exhausted from the passage.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 6, there is illustrated a plurality of plungers 61 appropriately spaced around the ring 60 for the purpose of supporting the sealing ring 59 at predetermined times in the manner presently described. Each of the plungers 61 is slidably mounted in ,a chamber 68 formed in the ring 60 and is provided with a head 69 that projects beyond the inner face of the ring 60. 'I'he head 69 provides a slidable support for one end of the plunger and the stem 10 thereof extends through the rear wall of the chamber 68 into a cavity 1 I. A screw 12 is bridged between the 0pposite walls of the cavity through an elongated slot 13V provided in the stem 1U. A coil spring 14 encircles the shank between the head 69 and the outer wall of the chamber 68 and tends to always urge the plunger toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 3, or to a position in which the head 69 bears the relation indicated above to the inner surface of the ring 68. 'Ihe lower side of the head 69 is beveled as at 15 at some convenient angle, while the upper side of the head is beveled as at 16 at a steeper angle, relative to a vertical plane passing through the head, than is the surface 15, these surfaces being provided for a purpose hereinafter explained. 'Ihe relative disposition of the surfaces 15 and 16, that is, lower and upper, is maintained by reason of the coaction of the screw 12 with the slot 13 which constrains movement of the plunger 61 in endwise directions only. As clearly shown in Fig. 3, the annular, inner surface of the ring 60 is set back from the corresponding surfaces of the curb bars 58 to thereby dene a shoulder 11 which is utilized, in the manner hereinafter described, to disengage the sealing ring 50 from the ram when the latter is moved upwardly to compress the charge in the curb.

In order to provide for the free movement of the curb 56 along the rods I4, arcuate shoes 18 are attached to the upper curb ring 51 and also to the lower ring 6. The curb is free to move upwardly from the position shown in Fig. 1, but movement downwardly is restricted by a plurality of clamping collars 19, one for each of the rods I4.

Amaterial supply tubeA is slidably mounted in the upper header I 6 in axial alignment with the curb and the cylinder I9. and it is: through this tube that the oil-bearing material is delivered to the curb.. The lower end of the tube projects below the header I6 and has attached thereto a tamping ring; 8'I whose. dimensions are such that it fits closely in the. annular space 82 created between the curb and the stem 26.

The tamping ring is also hydraulically actuated by means of a pair of piston rods 83 located on opposite sides of the tube 80 and which project upwardly through the header I6. into a pair of' cylinders 84. mounted on the upper side of the header I6. A piston 85 is mounted on the upper extremity of each piston rod and this. piston is of the double-acting variety. Actuating fluid is introduoed into the cylinders above the pistons through pipes 86 to. thereby move the tamping ring downwardly from` the position shown in Fig. 1, while the reverse movement of the ring is effected by the delivery of fluid into the cylinders below the pistons through pipes 81, it being understood that the pipes 86' and` 81 are in communication with some form of pump mechanism.

A pair of segmental stops or shoulders 88 depend from the underside of the header I 6 to constitute abutments for the tamping ring during the pressing operation of the ram, as hereinafter explained. A pair of oppositely extending chutes 89 are carried by the lower header I5 and are so disposed with reference tothe lower end o1 the curb that, when` the ram is moved downwardly upon the completion of the pressing operation to provide a discharge opening for the residue, the latter will fall directly on the chutes on opposite sides of the press for subsequent transfer to containers, belt conveyors, or the like.

In the operation of the press, it will be understood that, when the several parts of the press are occupying the relative positions shown in Fig. 1, the press is in condition to be charged, since the ram is closing the lower end of the curb, while the tamping ring issufficiently elevated to provide communication between the interior of the curb and the supply tube 80 which is constantly or intermittently filled with the oil-bearing material. 4The material is permitted to ow into the curb by gravity until the curb-has become loosely packed, whereupon the tamping ring is moved downwardly to more completely pack the initial charge and to also effect a slight degree of compression which may be sufficient to extract some oil from the material. This downward movement of the tamping ring also serves' to out olf the downward supply of the material in the tube 80. It will be understood that the ram is maintained in the position shown in Fig. 1 by an appropriate pressure established in the cylinderA I 9, so that the ram serves as an abutment against the pressing action of the tamping ring. The tamping ring is thereupon retracted to permit an additional accumulation of loosely packed material in the curb, followed b-y another tamping operation to compress this portion of the charge, and these steps may be repeated as often as is desirable until the curb has been completely charged with pre-pressed, oilbearing material, whereupon the tamping ring 8I will be retracted to the position shown in Fig. 1, that is, in abutting relation to the stop 88.

The fluid pressure in the cylinder I9 is then increased to thereby move the ram upwardly and apply the maximiun compression to the charge in the curb, this compression being eventually directed against the tamping ring 8I which is held in position, andthev upward movement of the stem 2'6 serving to'autoinatically cut off the iiow of material to the tube during this phase of the operation.

During this upward movement of the ram, the sealing ring 50 is carried thereby during the initial stages of the movement through the medium of the plungers 42, as above described. The ring 5I is retained in the indicated position until after it has passed above the plungers 61, these plungers being forced inwardly against the springs 14, as permitted by the general` inclination of the bevel surfaces 15. Upward movement of the ring 50, however, is stopped by contact of the ring with the .annularly-disposed shoulders 11 (see Fig. 4), whereupon the continued, upward movement of the ram eiects a disengagement of the ring from the supporting connection afforded by the plungers 42, and the ring is then supported upon the bevel surfaces 16 of the plungers 61. The top surface of the ring 50, in the position shown in Fig. 4, is substantially flush with the top surface of the annular ange 9D forming a part of the ring 6U, so that when the ram has moved to the position shown in Fig. 5, the ring 50 will be located in a position to deflect any grease that may flow downwardly between the bars 58 outwardly into the oil channel 62 and will thereby prevent the flowing of any oil inwardly of the ring 60 onto the chute 89.

Upon the completion of the principal pressing operation, the pressure in the cylinder i9 is relieved, and pressure is established in the cylinders 84, thus moving the tamping ring 8| downwardly and serving to assist the downward movement of the ram which tends to fall by gravity. This downward movement of the ram is for the purpose of eiecting ,a discharge of the residue cake from the curb and, when the shoulder 52 of the ram again contacts with the ring 50, supporting engagement of the` plungers 42 will be re-established with the ring, and the plungers 61 will be moved outwardly to permit the eventual positioning of the ram in the position shown in Fig. 3, that is, in a position where the ram is completely located below and in spaced relation to the bottom of the curb to facilitate the discharge of the residue cake onto the chutes 89 which is effected by the downward movement of the tamping ring. Y y I l When the ram has reached the lowermost position shown in Fig. 3, the steam inlet ports 34 and 35 register to permit the passage of steam into the chamber 21, it being understood, as described above, that a similar pair of ports are located in some other. convenient position around the ram for the purpose of effecting an exhaust of steam, or the evacuation of condensate. The registration of these ports is effected intermittently during the operation of the machine, that is, during each discharge of the: compressed cake, so that the chamber 21 is kept filled with steam in order to maintain the material in the curb at the best temperature possible for the most eicient, extraction of the oils and greases therefrom. Prior to the initial filling of the curb, that is, when the machine is first placed in operation after having been allowed to remain idle for a time, it will be understood that the ram will be moved to the position shown in Fig. 3 and maintained there until the steam chamber has become sufficiently heated to provide the best results.

The manner of introducing the steam into the steam chamber, while` described in the present application asbeing adaptable for use with the vertical type of machine, is'also capable of application to the horizontal type.

I claim:

1. An hydraulic press of the vertical type comprising in combination, a curb, a ram movable into the curb to compress the charge therein, a detachable sealing ring mechanically connected to and movable with the ram for closing the bottom of the curb, means for automatically disengaging the ring from the ram during its movement to compressing position, and means for holding the ring adjacent the bottom of the curb.

2. An hydraulic press of the vertical type comprising in combination, a curb, a ram movable' into the curb to compress the charge therein, a set of yieldable plungers carried by and extending outwardly of the ram, a sealing ring detachably carried by the ends of the plungers, means engageable with the ring to detach the same from the plungers during movement of the ram to compressing position, and means for holding the ring adjacent the bottom of the curb.

3. An hydraulic press of the vertical type comprising in combination, a curb, a ram movable into the cur-b to compress the charge therein, a set of yieldable plungers carried by and extending outwardly of the ram, a. sealing ring ldetachably carried by the ends of the plungers, means on the curb engageable with the ring to detach the same from the plungers during movement of the ram the movement of the ram to compressing position and thereafter extending to support the ring adjacent the bottom of the curb.

4. An hydraulic press of the vertical type comprising in combination, a curb, a ram movable into the curb to compress the charge therein and retractible to a position below the curb to provide a discharge opening for the compressed cake, a sealing ring detachably carried by the ram, means for detaching and reattaching the ring from and to the ram during the latters movement to compressing and cake-discharging positions, respectively, and means for supporting the ring while detached in a position adjacent the bottom of the curb.

5. An hydraulic press of the vertical type comprising in combination, a curb, a ram movable into the curb to compress the charge therein and retractible to a position below the curb to provide a discharge opening for the compressed cake, a sealing ring detachably carried by the ram, means for detaching the ring from the ram during the movement thereof to compressing position, means for supporting the ring adjacent the bottom of the curb, and means on the ram for disengaging the ring from its curb-sealing position during the retracting movement of the ram, said ring re-engaging with the ram prior to being released from its curb-sealing position.

6. An hydraulic press of the vertical type comprising in combination, a curb having a shoulder adjacent the bottom thereof, a ram provided with a shoulder movable into the curb to compress the charge therein and retractible to a position below the curb to provide a discharge opening for the compressed cake, an oil-seal ring surrounding the ram adjacent the shoulder thereof, means for detachably holding the ring on the ram, said ring being detached from the ram by engaging the curb shoulder during movement of the ram to compressing position, and yieldable means for suptachable sealing ring mechanically connected to and movable with the ram for closing the bottom of the curb, means for automatically disengaging the ring from the ram during its movement to compressing position, and mechanical means for 5 holding the ring adjacent the bottom of the curb.

JOHN B. MIDDAUGH. 

